Poonch, October 20,2026- In a encouraging example of self-reliance, a young entrepreneur from Khanetar Upper in Poonch district has set up a high-tech automatic flour mill under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), generating employment for five to seven local residents.
Maqsood Ahmed, who hails from the remote village, has turned a government scheme into a thriving enterprise, offering a model for other young people in the region who are searching for livelihood options beyond the limited pool of government jobs.
From Job-Seeker to Job-Provider
Like many educated youth in border districts, Maqsood once looked toward conventional employment as the only route to financial stability. With government vacancies scarce and competition intense, he decided to explore self-employment instead.
“I realised that waiting for a job was not a solution,” Maqsood said. “When I learned about PMEGP, I decided to take the initiative and build something that could not only support my family but also provide work to others in my village.”
After completing the application process and receiving approval, he invested in modern milling equipment and set up the unit in Khanetar Upper. The mill is fully automatic and uses advanced machinery that cleans, grinds and packs flour with minimal manual intervention, ensuring better hygiene, consistent quality and higher productivity than traditional watermills or old diesel-run chakkis.
Benefits for the Local Community
The mill is already making a difference for residents. Villagers who earlier had to travel long distances to get their wheat and maize ground can now do so close to home, saving both time and transportation costs. The unit is also expected to cater to nearby hamlets, where access to quality milling services has traditionally been limited, particularly during winter months when roads are difficult to navigate.
Locals say the finer, cleaner flour produced by the machine is a welcome improvement. Farmers, who form the backbone of the area’s economy, now have a reliable facility to process their harvest, which could encourage greater cultivation of cereals.
The enterprise has also created direct employment for five to seven locals, who work in operations, packaging, loading and distribution. For families in a region where income opportunities are limited, even a few stable jobs can have a significant impact. Maqsood hopes to expand the unit’s capacity in the coming months and hire more workers as demand grows.
Understanding PMEGP
The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme is a credit-linked subsidy scheme of the Government of India, implemented through the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It aims to generate self-employment opportunities by helping aspiring entrepreneurs establish micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive a margin money subsidy on the project cost, with the remaining amount financed through bank loans. Special provisions and higher subsidy rates are available for categories such as women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, ex-servicemen and residents of hilly and border areas. In Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme is facilitated through agencies such as the Khadi and Village Industries Board and the District Industries Centres.
A Message to the Youth
Beyond celebrating his own achievement, Maqsood has used the moment to appeal to other young people in the district. He urged unemployed youth to look at government-sponsored schemes seriously and avoid depending entirely on public-sector recruitment.
“There are many schemes available, but a lot of young people either do not know about them or are afraid of the process,” he said. “If you have a plan and the determination to work, these schemes can help you stand on your own feet. Self-employment gives dignity and also allows you to contribute to society.”
He also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to approach the concerned departments, seek guidance, prepare a sound project report and begin with a clear understanding of market demand.
Inspiring Others
Community members have praised Maqsood’s initiative, describing it as a positive example for the youth of Poonch. Local residents said that stories like his help shift the mindset from job-seeking to enterprise-building, which is vital for the long-term economic development of border districts.
As more young people turn to entrepreneurship, officials and community leaders believe that awareness campaigns and handholding support will be essential in helping them navigate loan procedures and market linkages.
For now, the hum of Maqsood’s automatic mill in Khanetar Upper stands as a symbol of what determination and the right support can achieve. His journey proves that with initiative and access to government schemes, even remote villages can become centres of opportunity.
